an introduction to the european union 17 january 2011 anne hoel european policy manager epha –...
TRANSCRIPT
An Introduction to the European Union
17 January 2011
Anne Hoel European Policy Manager
EPHA – European Public Health Alliance
EU IDEU ID 27 Member States – soon 28?27 Member States – soon 28?
480 million citizens480 million citizens
World’s biggest economy: generate approx 21% of the World’s biggest economy: generate approx 21% of the global economy (GDP) in 2009 = 14.8 trillion US dollarsglobal economy (GDP) in 2009 = 14.8 trillion US dollars
20% of global imports and exports20% of global imports and exports
But… 1 child /5 lives in povertyBut… 1 child /5 lives in poverty 80-90 million people at risk of poverty80-90 million people at risk of poverty
EU is an economic areaEU is an economic area EU = economic area first and foremostEU = economic area first and foremost = Single Market= Single Market
= Free movement of people= Free movement of people = Free movement of workers= Free movement of workers = Free movement of goods= Free movement of goods = Free movement of capital= Free movement of capital = Right to establishment and right to provide services= Right to establishment and right to provide services
Single Market as a tool and a goal in itself Single Market as a tool and a goal in itself Competence on health very limitedCompetence on health very limited
European law takes precedence over national law and even national European law takes precedence over national law and even national constitutional laxconstitutional lax
Areas of conflicts between social Areas of conflicts between social (health) and economic objectives(health) and economic objectives
regulation deregulation state subsidies free competition solidarity market efficiency territoriality principle non-
discrimination price fixing prohibition of
cartels
Areas of conflicts between social Areas of conflicts between social (health) and economic objectives(health) and economic objectives
compulsory membership free choice
supply restrictions free movement
monopolies freedom of establishment
Selective contracting no abuse of dominant position
Source: Rita Baeten (observatoire social Européen, Source: Rita Baeten (observatoire social Européen, 2007)2007)
Making the case for healthMaking the case for health Why regulation in health (and social) sector?
Access is fundamental right Information asymmetry Third payer Harmful commodities (taxation, provision, advertising)
How to define the specificity of health and social services? Values, objectives, instruments; Solidarity, inclusion
How to anchor a good balance between economic and social objectives?
And now? Opportunities to actAnd now? Opportunities to act
2009: New Treaty of Lisbon balancing better the objectives and articles
2009-2010: launch of a process to revise the Single Market June 2010: Monti report November 2010: publication of the Single Market Act
Consultation until 28 Feb 2011 Single Market Forum
Who decides?Who decides?
European Commission (DGs)European Commission (DGs) European Council (Council of Ministers)European Council (Council of Ministers) European Parliament (MEPs)European Parliament (MEPs)
Economic and Social CommitteeEconomic and Social Committee Committee of the RegionsCommittee of the Regions
European Court of JusticeEuropean Court of Justice Court of AuditorsCourt of Auditors EU Ombudsman EU Ombudsman
!!! EU competence on health is very limited !!!!!! EU competence on health is very limited !!!
The role of civil society and advocacy
17 January 2011
Anne Hoel European Policy Manager
EPHA – European Public Health Alliance
Who decides?Who decides?
European Commission (DGs)European Commission (DGs) European Council (Council of Ministers)European Council (Council of Ministers) European Parliament (MEPs)European Parliament (MEPs)
Economic and Social CommitteeEconomic and Social Committee Committee of the RegionsCommittee of the Regions
European Court of JusticeEuropean Court of Justice Court of AuditorsCourt of Auditors EU Ombudsman EU Ombudsman
!!! EU competence on health is very limited !!!!!! EU competence on health is very limited !!!
Lobby jungleLobby jungle
Private sector – economic operatorsPrivate sector – economic operators Interest groups and trade associationsInterest groups and trade associations Non-governmental organisationsNon-governmental organisations Think TanksThink Tanks
Public affairs consultanciesPublic affairs consultancies Law firmsLaw firms Non-EU governmentsNon-EU governments
MediaMedia Local and regional authoritiesLocal and regional authorities AcademicsAcademics Trade unionsTrade unions
What role for health advocates?
Achieving policy change: Nothing for us without us
Upholding values – general interest
Watchdog role – balancing big economic interests
What is EPHA?
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is a Brussels-based network representing the public health community throughout Europe.
Mission: “To play a leading role by advocating for a healthier European society and greater participation of people in policy making at the European level.”
Members: ranging from academics to diseases-related advocates, population’s groups, patients’ groups, health professionals…
From the local to international level
What tools do we have to advocate for greater health outcomes? 1/2
European Commission: before any proposal, need for input - Consultations (Green Paper) Meet with desk officers, heads of Unit Send them your positions and reports Imapct Assessment Commissions studies
European Parliament: Provide amendments for MEPs MEPs can question the Commission (Oral and Written – available on the
EP Website) Written Declarations
The Council of Ministers– work at national level
What tools do we have to advocate for greater health outcomes? 2/2
• Our values
• Evidence-based positions, reports from projects, concrete examples
• Scientific and/or grassroot expertise
• Manifestos for the elections
• Campaigning and working together
Role PlayThe role of stakeholders in building
health public policy
17 January 2011
Anne Hoel and Alison AbrahamsEPHA – European Public Health Alliance
Hearing in the European Parliament on the Single Market Act
• Let’s imagine…
• The new Single Market Act is out
• THe European Parliament has to make an opinion
• They call on experts to present their views, with several cases
• One on alcohol
• One on health and social services
Hearing in the European Parliament on the Single Market Act
• 4 groups• One NGO ‘PreventAlcohol’
• One trade associations of Wine producers (Winers of Europe)
• One NGO providing social and health services (People First)
• One trade association of businesses (Health Services Centre)
• Three MEPs
Hearing in the European Parliament on the Single Market Act
• 30 minutes to prep
• 30 minutes to debate (5’ per group to speak)
• 20 minutes of debrief
Debrief• Feedback? Questions? Discussions?
European Public Health Alliance
Rue de Trèves 49 – 51 Boite 6
BE - 1040 Brussels
+32 (0) 2 233 3887
www.epha.org